The Badger City Gang [Bride Train 7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (8 page)

The weather became increasingly hot and humid as the day progressed. It dragged on the horses as well as the three of them. Walking uphill to spare the animals allowed her to stretch her muscles. Getting back in the saddle was agony, but necessary, so she did it without complaint.

The men were worried about a big storm coming. Thunder and lightning would spook their horses, which was not a good thing when taking steep mountain trails, even without pouring rain. The big worry was hail. Rusty said he’d seen it hit the ground the size of her fist and bounce up again past his knees. Driven with high winds, it could kill, so they pushed hard all day.

It felt as if last night passed in a flash. She’d barely cuddled up to Zach’s back when he was shaking her awake in the dark. Low rumbles in the distance had her aching body moving before her mind began to work. That morning ride, cold and hungry, was one she hoped to forget.

But they were home now, wherever that was. All she saw was a decent-sized cabin before almost falling off the horse and hobbling to the privacy of the privy. She changed into her skirt, allotting herself a few minutes to feel pity, moan about her bumps and bruises, and sigh.

Both Zach and Rusty were considerate, taking care of the animals first, her needs second, and then their own. They were constantly trying to outdo each other, whether it was quickly saddling the horses or finding something to make her smile. When Zach pointed at the antics of a trio of fox cubs tussling over a stick, Rusty added that he, along with his brother and cousin, were the same way. His wicked grin suggested they would tussle over her as well.

Zach explained they’d gone to the Bride Train to get the pick of the last women to arrive before winter. Rusty added that Montana Territory men were so desperate for wives they’d take almost anyone. If she didn’t want them, she’d have lots of others grabbing at her skirts. He then gave her a heated look that said she’d be silly to think she could find any better men, and he was ready to prove it whenever she wanted. That look, and promise, had her forgetting about her sore bottom for at least an hour.

And now it was time to meet the third McInnes man, Gideon, and see what this new phase of life would bring. She straightened up, stepped out, and staggered toward the cabin. Zach had explained how Walt Chamberlain, the man who owned most of the Running W, had built it in a hollow so it would be protected from the strong north and west winds. The door and a window faced south, with another small window to the morning sun.

“There you are.”

She turned toward the deep voice to find Zach striding toward her. She straightened up as best she could and hobbled forward.

“You need some liniment.” He scooped her into his arms and carried her toward the house.

“I can walk.” She struggled to get down.

“And I can carry you a lot faster. You need warm water and a hot meal. After that, it’s off to bed with you.”

She stilled and met his eyes. “A real bed? One that doesn’t move?” Even after riding for two days she could still feel the movement of the train.

“Yes, ma’am. A soft bed with a mattress, sheets, and quilts.”

“Oh, that would be heaven. I can hardly wait.”

She was through with adventure for a while. She’d stay here, cooking and cleaning to pay her way, until she found word of her father. Not that she would tell anyone about that yet. She needed to find Wilbur in secret as he might not be happy to find the daughter he never knew about. Worse, he might not want her, or get angry that she lived with these men without benefit of marriage.

“I don’t want to wait for a bit of heaven, either,” murmured Zach into her hair.

Did he intend to share the bed with her when the sun was still up? Her heart pounded, but it was in anticipation, not dread. Zach turned toward the sound of a galloping horse. A man in a black hat, pants, and fringed leather vest raced toward them. He looked like a younger, equally large, version of Zach.

“Yee-haw! You got us a woman! I didn’t think you’d get here yet.” He hauled his horse to a stop and leaped off right in front of her. He stared down at her, grinning like a huge, eager boy. “She’s pretty, but there ain’t much to her.”

“Kate, meet my brother, Gideon. Gideon, take your hat off and say howdy to the lady.”

“Howdy, ma’am.”

He hauled his hat off, revealing short, brown hair. His blue eyes and wide white smile shone down at her. He was even taller than Zach, who was already far too big.

“Kate rode the whole way home by herself. That’s why we’re here so fast.” Zach continued toward the cabin, talking over his shoulder. “Of course she’s sore, and needs liniment. She’ll need a nap after that.”

“Can I help?” Gideon looked at his hands, grimaced, and wiped them on his pants.

“No!” She struggled even harder to get down. “I can put it on myself!”

“Nope,” replied Zach. “I’m helping, and that’s the way it is.”

She opened her mouth to tell him otherwise, but his glower kept her quiet. She’d learned how to pick her battles years ago, and she could tell he was serious about this one. The thought of his hands soothing her sore muscles, perhaps with a few kisses to sooth her, made her pussy throb.

He carried her into the cabin and set her feet on the floor. She grabbed the back of a chair to keep her balance while he closed the door and shutters. She could see well enough as light came in through the cracks in the shutters, but not the logs. She didn’t know much about log cabins but was pleased. If light could get in, so could wind, bugs, snakes, and more.

There wasn’t much to see. A table, one chair, two benches, a stove, narrow stairs to the second level, and a bed in the corner.

One. Big. Bed.

She gulped. “Is that my bed?”

Zach sorted through the mugs and things on a wide shelf that ran along one wall. He found what he wanted, turned, and looked at her. His icy-blue eyes seemed to pierce her. His nostrils flared. He set his feet wide and crossed his arms. He looked at her, from feet to bonnet, and back.

“Yep.” One side of his mouth curved up in a smile that sent shivers from her breasts to her thighs. “Mine, too.” He winked. “But not before I take care of you.”

“I don’t need taking care of. I can manage quite well on my own.” There was a difference from need and want. Compared to her siblings, she’d gone without a lot of things. It made her realize just how little she needed.

“Don’t doubt it. There’s few men could get off a train and ride like you did for two days. But I know you’re hurting and I’m wanting to take care of you.”

Zach set one knee down in front of her. He eased off one boot, and then the other. She flexed her toes and rolled her ankles.

His fingers went under her skirt. She slapped her hands down to stop him. He immediately stopped, though he grasped her knees. A tremor travelled from his touch up between her legs. He looked at her, solemn for once.

“I don’t think you want to sit down to do this,” he said. “And you’ll fall over if you let go of that chair. So I’m going to help you.”

“I can take my stockings off myself.”

The skin around his eyes crinkled. He slowly shook his head. His hot thumbs caressed her inner thighs through her skirt. Her legs trembled, and not from the strain of riding. Her nipples rose as if she was chilled, but she felt like she was burning up.

“A man expects to take care of his woman,” he murmured. “And I intend to take care of you.”

“I’m not your woman.”

“If you’re living here and sleeping in my bed, you’re mine. Near enough to a wife.”

“But we’re not married. And we may never be,” she added.

One corner of his lip turned up. “I’ll take that chance.”

He stared at her like a cat stalking a mouse. His hands went under her skirt and rose to the tops of her stockings. She couldn’t speak. He eased them down, letting his fingers trace across her thighs. He slowly rolled each one off and tossed them aside. Nothing existed except his touch on her body. The third time his hands slid up her legs he trailed his fingers lightly between her thighs.

“I’m feeling your skin to see where you need soothing.” His voice was rough, as if he’d been yelling.

She found it hard to breathe as his fingers trailed ever higher. He encouraged her to move her feet apart. He brushed his fingers lightly at the top of her thighs. When he touched her intimate flesh, a jolt shot through her. She almost crumpled. He groaned, as if in deep pain, and dropped his hands on his knees. He suddenly stood and carried her to the bed. He gently laid her on her back and went down on one knee.

“I can’t see well enough with you standing.”

She knew she shouldn’t let him do it, but she wanted his fingers to touch her again. To touch that spot he’d found for her. All those times she’d rested against the train’s vibration was nothing compared to one touch of his finger. She nodded, biting her lip. He slumped for a second, took a deep breath, and slowly drew her skirt up. He moved between her thighs and looked closely at her skin.

“That must hurt,” he whispered. “I’ll kiss it better.”

She gasped as Zach traced his way up her leg with his lips. He pushed her skirt to her hips as his kisses drew closer to her core. She found herself tilting her bottom to encourage him. He smiled and kissed her belly. After a warning wink he touched her clit. The jolt made her throw her head back, her arms wide to grasp the quilt.

“Your thighs aren’t in too bad shape,” he said, “but your pussy needs some help.”

She watched him stroke her folds with his finger. How could a man that large touch her so delicately? She opened her legs to encourage him. He chuckled.

“Your clit’s standing up. It needs my touch.”

He bent his head and touched her with his tongue. She cried out. He did wonderful things with his tongue and fingers. She closed her eyes and arched her back, spreading her legs to demand more.

He gave it, and her world exploded.

She cried out, shuddering as the intense feelings faded. She panted, her head buzzing like a tree full of bees. Fingers fumbled with her buttons. Cool air rushed over her skin.

“That get rid of your aches and pains?”

She opened her eyes to find a very amused man leaning over her. He flicked his eyes to her chest. She squawked, seeing her breasts exposed to him. She tried to cover herself, but he brushed her hands away.

“I didn’t get a good look the other night. They’re even more beautiful than I thought,” he murmured. “You need those clothes off.”

She felt too exhausted to complain as he quickly stripped off the rest of her clothing. He helped her roll onto her front so he could apply liniment to her back cheeks. It stung, but his kisses made up for it. When he was done, he covered her with a quilt.

“There’s hot water on the stove to wash when you wake up. Take as much time as you want. Me and Rusty’ve got a lot of work to do to make up for the days we were away.” He kissed her forehead. “Seeing you in my bed makes it all worthwhile.” He slipped out the door, leaving her in peace.

No, not peace. Quiet. How could she relax peacefully when there were three eager men outside waiting to take liberties with her body? Liberties she hadn’t known existed before Zach took her from the Bride Train. Liberties she now craved.

She’d been warned that men had carnal appetites. No one ever suggested women could be the same. She was tired and hungry, but after she woke and had a bite, she wanted to find out what else could make her body hum. Though she was an opinionated old maid of one-and-twenty, Zach still desired her. So did Rusty and, from the looks she got from Gideon, he did as well.

For once in her life she was wanted, even though she was a wild woman.

She’d been forced to take the Bride Train, but it had brought her here, to a wonderful adventure. She hated those ridiculous Eastern rules. A lady does not smile at men to whom she’s not related or been properly introduced. A lady does not disobey her father, mother, brothers, uncles, husband, and so forth.

As far as she could tell a lady did not have fun, or do anything that made her feel good. Therefore, she did not want to be a lady. When she first stepped on that train, she wanted to be an adventuress. Now she also wanted to be a wicked woman, if it brought her more of what Zach had just given her.

Her mother had married a cold man who gave her a position in society, but no comfort whatsoever. Kate had promised to take a different path. She would follow her sense of adventure, never choosing less than the best for herself, and find a man who made her feel glorious.

Glorious was how she felt when Zach touched her. Rusty’s fingers and tongue felt just as good. Gideon was eager to get to know her as well.

If she wished to stay, how could she choose just one?

“She wasn’t crying out from pain,” explained Zach in reply to Gideon’s furious demand. “She was, ah…” he scratched his head, figuring out how to explain. “I was kissing everything better.”

“Zach made her come. That’s why she yelled,” confirmed Rusty. “Some women do that.” He shrugged, looking very pleased with himself. “I guess we got us a screamer.” He slapped Gideon on the back. “Trust me, it’s a good thing.”

Zach held back a smile at his younger brother’s blush. The boy was a virgin, something that Kate would soon solve.

“You just got here and she let you do that to her?”

“I was already rubbing liniment on her ass, and her pussy was right there. When I started kissing what I saw in front of me, she didn’t complain. So I used my tongue and a few fingers.” Zach shrugged as if it was nothing, but he was proud of his effort. “The woman likes to be appreciated.”

Gideon’s face cleared in understanding. Then he scowled.

“Dang, I wanted to do that for the lady!”

Zach cleared his throat at the grin on Rusty’s face. Kate enjoyed what he and Rusty did far more than any of them expected. Far sooner, as well. Because they saved every damn penny to get their own ranch, they hadn’t gambled, or bought booze or women. The few women he and Rusty had been with were demanding widows. It was a treat to have Kate lie back and enjoy his touch. The thought of having to wait to do it again made him wince.